Golf tee

ABSTRACT

A golf tee including horizontal arms for locating the ball receiving portion thereof at a selected level with respect to the ground when the tee is inserted into the ground; such horizontal arms being further adapted to maintain the tee in a true vertical position and to provide visual indicators for directing the proper location of the player&#39;&#39;s stance or driving position.

0 United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,883,144

Lazow 1 May 13, 1975 [54-] GOLF TEE 1,761,532 6/1930 Morris 273/183 A 2,165,479 7/1939 Hallberg 273/202 1 memo" Ma'wlm Law, 333 Seventh 0202.359 9/1865 Harris 273/211 x Valley Stream, NY. 10001 [22] Filed: Jan. 11, 1974 Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Philip G. Hilbert -[2l] Appl. No.: 432,644

57 ABSTRACT [52] U.S.'Cl. 273/183 A; 273/33 A golf tee including horizontal arms for locating the [51] Int. Cl. A63b 69/36; A631) 57/00 ball receiving portion thereof at a selected level with [58] Field of Search 273/183, 202. 33, 208, respect to the ground when the tee is inserted into the 273/195, 196, I97, 198 ground; such horizontal arms being further adapted to maintain the tee in a true vertical position and to pro- [56] References Cited vide visual indicators for directing the proper location UNITED STATES PATENTS of the players stance or driving position.

1,596,110 8/1926 Lynch 273/183 A 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures GOLF TEE Golf tees are known which include means for limiting the extent of insertion of the tee into the ground, to thereby locate the ball carrying portion of the tee at a selected level above the ground. However, such known tees are of a complicated construction; expensive to manufacture; and of such restricted function, as to substantially limit the use thereof by golfers.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved golf tee having means thereon for limiting the penetration of the tee into the ground so as to locate the ball carrying portion thereof at a determined level; such means having other functions advantageous to the golfer using the tee.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf tee of the character described wherein the level determining portion also provides visual guide means for op timizing the playing stance of the golfer whereby to correctly position his feet and to thereby perfect his drive.

A further object of this invention is to provide a golf tee of the character described wherein the multifunctional structure thereof includes a pair of elongated members in coplanar, intersecting relation to each other; the shank portion of the tee passing through the intersecting members at their junction, whereby the intersecting members may contact the ground into which the tee is inserted to thereby determine the level of the ball carrying portion of the tee; the intersecting members further providing visual guide means for the golfer so that he may properly position his feet when addressing the supported ball and thus optimize his driving stance.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a golf tee of the character described which includes a pair of flat barlike members extending at right angles to each other and being coplanar; one of the members being pointed at one end thereof which, when the tee is inserted into the ground, visually indicates a line of flight. The other member aids in lining up the club head and the feet of the golfer for proper alignment. The intersecting members contact the ground into which the tee is inserted so as to maintain the tee in a true vertical position as well as locating the ball carrying portion of the tee at a desired level above the ground, whereby to avoid or minimize the chances of a hook or slice and to achieve proper loft and thus maximum distance on tee shots.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a golf tee of the character described; which is ofa simple configuration; is economical to manufacture; and serves to substantially improve the game of the player.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the golf tee embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, with parts broken away; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The golf tee of the instant invention is a unitary member formed of suitable material such as wood, metal or molded plastic. Such tee includes structural features which makes the tee multifunctional in use. Thus, the tee provides means for establishing the level of the ball carried thereby, with respect to the ground into which the tee is inserted and maintains the tee in a true vertical position at all times. Further, the level maintaining means also provides visual means to indicate the line of flight of the driven ball and to properly locate the feet of the golfer so as to optimize his drive.

Thus, as shown in the drawing, 10 designates a golf tee embodying the invention. The same comprises a shank portion of the usual cylindrical shape and an outwardly flared portion 12 extending from one end thereof. The flared portion 12 terminates in a cupped portion 13 for receiving the usual golf ball, not shown.

The lower portion 14 of shank portion 11 terminates in a pointed portion 15 for insertion into the ground G. Means is provided for limiting the extent of insertion of the shank portion 14 into ground G, whereby to establish the level of the ball receiving portion 13 with respect to the ground G; hence the level of the ball carried thereon, not shown.

Such means comprises a pair of elongated flat members generally indicated at 16, 17. The members 16, 17 are coplanar and intersect each other at their midpoints and at right angles to each other. Members l6, 17 are arranged to project from shank 11, being located at a point 18 which is intermediate the pointed portion 15 and flared portion 12 of shank 11.

Further, the coplanar members 16, 17 are at right angles to the axis of shank portion 11. Thus, when the tee 10 is inserted into ground G, the members 16, 17 will make contact with the surface of ground G, to therby maintain the shank 11 in a true vertical position. Also, the ball receiving portion 13 will be disposed at a determined level above ground G.

The tee 10 is inserted into ground G, so that the members 16, 17 provide visual guide means for the golfer. Thus, the member 16 may have its end portion 19, pointed as at 20, to locate the same in the line of flight for the drive of the ball. The member 17 is an aid in lining up the club head and the feet of the golfer for proper alignment. The members 16, 17 by way of the insertion of the tee 10 into ground G, indicate the optimum stance of the player.

Inasmuch as the position of the golfers feet in relation to a proper line of drive, is extremely important; it has been found that the multifunctional tee of the instant invention improves the players stance when addressing the ball and improves his game.

The intersecting members 16, 17 may be positioned with respect to shank 11 to provide low and high level tees for selective use by the golfer. The dimensions of the shank 11 as well as members 16, 17 may be varied to suit the requirements of the golfers using the same.

I claim:

1. A golf tee comprising a shank portion, a cupped portion extending from one end of said shank portion for supporting a golf ball thereon, and an insertion portion extending from the other end of said shank portion and having a point on the end thereof for insertion into the ground; and means for limiting the extent of the insertion of said insertion portion into the ground to thereby locate said cupped portion at a determined level above the ground level and for insuring true vertical placement of said shank portion, said limiting the shank portion to become vertically oriented to insure vertical placement of said shank portion and to maintain said tee in a true vertical position; said elongated members further providing visual means for (l) properly positioning the golf club head; and (2) properly locating the feet of the player with respect to optimizing' his driving position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETTFTQATE OF l ECTTQN Patent No. 3,883,144 Dated May 13. 1975 lnventofls) Malcolm Lazow It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In item [76] "Valley Stream" should read New York, N. Y.

an fiealed this sixteenth Of September 1975 [SEAL] Attest: 

1. A golf tee comprising a shank portion, a cupped portion extending from one end of said shank portion for supporting a golf ball thereon, and an insertion portion extending from the other end of said shank portion and having a point on the end thereof for insertion into the ground; and means for limiting the extent of the insertion of said insertion portion into the ground to thereby locate said cupped portion at a determined level above the ground level and for insuring true vertical placement of said shank portion, said limiting means comprising a pair of intersecting flat elongated members being coplanar and disposed at right angles to each other and the longitudinal axis of said shank portion, said elongated members being fixedly secured to and extending outwardly of said shank portion at the juncture thereof with said shank portion so that if the shank portion is inserted at an angle, the underside of one or more of said elongated members may make contact with the ground and provide a lever to cause the shank portion to become vertically oriented to insure vertical placement of said sHank portion and to maintain said tee in a true vertical position; said elongated members further providing visual means for (1) properly positioning the golf club head; and (2) properly locating the feet of the player with respect to optimizing his driving position. 